Pinot Noir

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Species: Vitis Vinifera
Parentage: Unknown
Aliases: Blauburgunder, Spatburgunder, Rulanske modre
Grape Color: Black
Regions: Chiefly associated with France’s Burgundy region. Also prevalent in Champagne, France; California; New Zealand

“With so voluptuous a perfume, so sweet an edge, they make the blood run hot,” Joel Fleischman, wine columnist at Vanity Fair, once described of Pinot Noir. Also christening it as a fickle mistress, a minx, and as sex in a glass, wine critics have had no hesitation in oft comparing Pinot Noir to a woman.

With many qualities lending themselves to this parallel, the best is likely that the Pinor Noir grape is difficult. Difficult to cultivate. Difficult to transform into wine. Difficult to pinpoint in taste.

The Pinot Noir grape is grown in tightly clustered dark purple, pine-cone shaped bunches, the resemblance from which it gets its name. Considered to produce the finest wines in the world, its fame as a Noble grape goes hand in hand with France’s Burgundy wine region.

Some giveaway qualities of the Pinot Noir are its thin skin, early ripening during growing season, and summer-fruit aromas such as those of strawberries and red cherries. You will notice that wines made of this varietal tend to have complex aromas, as well a smooth, silky texture. Pinot Noir also has light tannins and a structure that holds its own, giving it the ability to be paired well with many foods. However, because of its thin skin, the firsthand challenge for vintners lies in drawing color and flavor from these skins without extracting large amounts of tannin.

Pinot Noir tend to grow best in cool-climate regions, where while their youthful flavors hint of red berries, their more mature wines develop earthier flavors ranging from forest floor to violets to ripe tomatoes. This broad range of flavors from fruits to flowers to even licorice is what tends to confuse even the most experienced tasters.

The roots of Pinot Noir are no less complex than the grape itself. During first century A.D. this varietal was known to the Ancient Romans as Helvanacia Minor, which they turned into wine during their conquest of France’s Burgundy region, where it too was wildly popular. For hundreds of years in the Burgundy region, the hilly region where Pinot Noir was cultivated was known as Côte d'Or -- “The Slope of Gold.”

This red wine grape produces wines closer to a garnet color, unlike many red wines. It does not share the longevity of many other varietals, as it reaches its peak approximately 5-8 years past vintage. Despite the fact that its character can be hard to pinpoint, Pinot Noir is praised by vintners for striking the perfect balance of fruit, alcohol, acidity, and tannin in its wines.

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Esser Vineyards Pinot Noir California

Winery:	Esser Vineyards
Region:	USA » California
Type:	Table Wines

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Chele's Chipotle Mayo Grilled Salmon Fillet Sandwich w/Kettle Chips

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Chile’s Terroir-Driven Wines Are Shifting the Narrative

Chile is one of the oldest and most productive wine regions in the New World, thanks to the missionaries who introduced viticulture there in the 16th century. But although Chile’s wines have stormed the global market, they haven’t always enjoyed a repu...

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Golden Anniversary: Pinot Noir Celebrates 50th Year in Oregon

Oregon’s wine families scoured the state fifty years ago looking for the perfect Pinot Noir site. They found it in the Willamette Valley, The Oregonian reporter Molly Harbarger said in an atricle this week. Fifty years later, the Pinot market is booming.

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Mentor for Pinot Noir Wines

Craig Donofrio

Craig Donofrio is an Advanced Sommelier in the Court of Master Sommeliers and has worked and consulted for some of the nation's top restaurants. He is chief food/wine photographer at Grapevine Studios (www.grapevinestudios.blogspot.com).

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Popular Pinot Noir wines

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Wait Cellars Green Valley Pinot Noir Devoto Garden Vineyard

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Pinot Noir on Snooth

January 2011

Lindemans Pinot Noir Bin 99 2009

Snoothrank:

Fruity and deliciously inexpensive. Read More

Wine review by navalent
January 2011

Villa Cerrina Asti NV

Snoothrank:

only found at trader joe's. simply yummy sweet sparkling wine. Read More

Wine review by hunni
January 2011

Bouchard Aîné et Fils Pinot Noir Bourgogne 2009

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by spencer11
January 2011

Rex Goliath Pinot Noir Central Coast NV

Snoothrank:

Good for the price....nice everyday Pinot Read More

Wine review by Esimmons6765
January 2011

Joséphine Dubois Pinot Noir Bourgogne Grande Réserve 2008

Snoothrank:

Light & Floral with a definite Pinot Grape nose, fast finish. Nothing special but decent for the price. Read More

Wine review by Chaakacor
January 2011

Domaine Robert Chevillon Bourgogne Passetoutgrains 2007

Snoothrank:

Very light colored. Lots of red fruits with med/high acid. Clean, a little minerality. Drank with venison, but would have been much better off with something lighter. scallops in butter perhaps. Read More

Wine review by tbclevey
January 2011

Domaine Robert Chevillon Bourgogne Passetoutgrains 2007

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by tbclevey
January 2011

Writer's Block Pinot Noir Mendocino County 2008

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by erinvt
January 2011

Writer's Block Pinot Noir Mendocino County 2008

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by erinvt
January 2011

Next Pinot Noir 2009

Snoothrank:

Not as full as 2008. Tasted almost watery but has a nice smooth flavor without any harshness. Read More

Wine review by gwynnebaer